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THE 



PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. 



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London, Published, by G-kW.BJWuttaJeer.i3^ive Maria Lane. 



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PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP; 



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IN TWO PARTS. 



FRANCES ARABELLA ROWDEN. 



THE THIRD EDITION. 




LONDON: 

PRINTED FOR G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER, 
AVE-MARIA LANE, 

By Weed and Rider, Little Britain. 



1818. 



7R£ 



raArt 



SDefcuattotn 



MISS MITFORD, 



BERTRAM HOUSE, NEAR READING, 



When with a Master's ardent soul inspir'd, 
Ideal charms immortal Zeuxis fir'd, 
His bold conception ranged the sphere of thought, 
And to his aid assembled beauties brought ; 



VI 

The God of taste combin'd their separate charms, 
And bright perfection hail'd him to her arms ; 
But when a sister art here dar'd to trace, 
Forgive th' attempt, the soul's sublimer grace, 
Oft as her fancy sketched the feeling breast, 
The heart where filial fondness shines confest, 
The tender ties that kindred spirits bind, 
And all the angel virtues of the mind, 
From one pure source these soften'd tints she drew, 
That source Affection, and her model, You. 



ADVERTISEMENT 

TO THE FIRST EDITION, 

JL he following pages are an attempt to delineate 
the pleasures arising from the mutual endearments of 
Friendship, with all the great and heroic deeds 
inspired by this disinterested feeling of the soul. 

It is described as the first of intellectual enjoy- 
ments, the most valuable of all earthly possessions 
and die indissoluble bond, by which virtuous hearts 



Vlll 



are connected. Hence reciprocal acts of kindness 
are performed, and mutual sacrifices made, which 
constitute the general order, harmony, and happiness 
of created nature. It is not only considered as 
referring to the endearments of social life, and the 
attachment of Friends, but as embracing the tender 
sympathies of parental, filial, and conjugal affections. 

If the introduction of the passion of Love should 
be deemed incompatible with the chaster feelings of 
the mind, let it be understood, that by love is only 
meant those delicate movements of the soul, that 

tenderness of esteem, that reverence of virtue, and 



IX 



sacrifice of all selfish enjoyments, wfiich form the 

essence of this sentiment, when abstracted from the 
grosser considerations of sense. Cicero observes, 
in his Essay on Friendship, " that love is a leading 
"■ and essential principle in constituting that par- 
" ticular species of benevolence called amity," and 
so high and respectable an authority gave confidence 
to the application of this sentiment, to one of the 
strongest and most sublime affections of the heart 

The sublimity of Akenside, the refined polish 
of Rogers, and the glowing energy of Campbell, 
are standards of excellence^ from a comparison with 



which these humble pages shrink with diffidence and 
dismay. The Author feels most sensibly how inad- 
equate her talents are to do justice to a subject, 
which embraces all the delicate springs of the heart, 
and all the exquisite modifications of the soul. She 
has only ventured to cull a few flowers from a soil, 
rich in variegated beauties; while she leaves to a 
more judicious taste and nicer judgment, the selection 
of richer matter for a theme, as inexhaustible in 
examples, as it must be interesting to every feeling 
and generous bosom. 

She is well aware that the explanations contained 



in several of the Notes may be considered as super- 
fluous by the generality of readers. She might 
have retrenched, or entirely suppressed, many of 
them, if she had not kept in view the amusement 
and instruction of a more juvenile class ; whose 
improvement and delight have been no common 
stimulus to her exertions, and which will constitute 
the sweetest recompense of her labors. 

Hans Place, 
April 13, 1810 



ADVERTISEMENT 

TO THE SECOND EDITION. 

After the very flattering reception of the first 
Edition of this little work, the Author was anxious 
to render it less undeserving of the Patronage of her 
Friends ; and under this idea has detained it above 
twelve months from the Press. Having bestowed 
much attention on its revisal, aided by the suggestions 



XIV 



of a literary friend, whose name, were she allowed to 
mention it, would do honor to her work, she 



again ventures to submit it to the notice of the 



Public. 

Hans Place, 
Nov. 3, 1811. 



THE 



PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP; 



PART I. 



Idole <Tun coear juste, et passion du sage, 

Amitie, que tou nom couronne cet ouvrage ; 

Qu'il preside k raes vers, coname il regne en mon coeur, 

Tu m'appris k connoitrc, k chanter le bonheur. 



Voltaire. 



In the Press, and shortly will be Published, 
by the same Author, 

A 

POETICAL INTRODUCTION 

TO 

THE STUDY OF BOTANY. 

THE SECOND EDITION. 

With Preliminary Lessons, and Seven Copperplates, 

drawn and engraved by Mr. Hooker. 

Also, 
THE FIRST RUDIMENTS OF GENERAL EN- 
GLISH GRAMMAR; Comprised in Twelve Elementary 
Lessons, applicable to all Languages, particularly calcu- 
lated for the instruction of Children, and adapted to the 
Abbe Gaultier's Method of Teaching ; with Analytical 
Tables. By D. St. Quintin, M. A. Price 3s. 



ARGUMENT. 



Invocation to Friendship — Its consolation to our 
first Parents after their fall — The attachments of 
infancy reviewed — its pleasing recollection to old 
age — Friendship an universal feeling — exemplified 
in the Africans — the Arabs- -The Maid of Green- 
land—The Castilian soldier in Pizarro— Its power 
A 



2 

in works of Imagination— The Maid of Corinth— 
The Portrait — Friendships formed in Religious 
Institutions — Its pleasures in solitude — Its sacri- 
fices — exemplified by Virgil — by Alexan- 
der— Scipio and Ljelius — Dissipated minds 
incapable of true Friendships — The pursuits of 
fashionable life inimical to true Friendship — Exhor- 
tation — Friendship strongest among the ancients — 
The Theban band — The Scythian hordes — Their 
warlike confederacy — Achilles and Patro- 
clus— Nisus and Euryalus— Damon and 
Pythias — Pylades and Orestes — Sans 
Souci— Epaminondas and Pelopidas— At- 
ticus — Royalty unfavorable to the formation of 



Friendship— Trajan and Pliny— Henry xv. 
and Sully — The consolation of Friendship in sick- 
ness — Eudamidas and Charixenes — The plea- 
sures of Friendship in prosperity and adversity 
compared — Chatterton — Its duties and conso- 
lations in the anguish of remorse — Jaffieb 
and Pierre — False friendship of the wicked — 
its fatal effects — The Prophet David — The pains 
of Friendship the severest affliction in life — » 
The refined feelings of Friendship not understood 
i>y common minds— Conclusion, 



THE 



PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. 



THE 



PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP* 



pact % 



XJLAiL, Spirit of the soul ! whate'er thy name, 
Genius or Fancy ! Thou, whose lambent flame 
Bids the rapt Poet's glowing thought expand, 
And warms to rapture his advent'rous hand ; 
Come on thy wings of many a changeful hue, 
For ever charming and for ever new ; 



8 

Come, paint in vivid colors, snatch'd from heav'n, 

This precious boon to erring mortals giv'n ; 

This all-sustaining, all-reviving pow'r, 

That sooth'd our drooping Parents' fallen hour ; 

That o'er the drear and barren waste of earth 

A new Creation waken'd into birth ; 

And brought a second Eden to their view, 

Tho' Innocence had bid the world adieu. 



Oh blest Affection ! even then began 
Thy balmy pow'r to charm forsaken man ! 
'Twas thine to soothe the sufFrers' deep disgrace, 
And whisper comfort for their future race ; 



Breathe o'er the wounded soul thy halcyon strain, 

And bid the trembling spirit live again ; 

When, ere relenting Mercy calm'd the fears, 

Ere hope of pardon shone thro' sorrow's tears ; 

When, mingling dread with dread, and grief with grief, 

They found in mutual love their last relief. 



So the sweet woodbine, batter'd by the storm, 
Twines round the wedded elm her fragile form ;. 
Bow'd, yet not broke, in beauty blooms again, 
And sheds reviving fragrance o'er the plain. 



10 

Visions of early life, ere yet ye fade, 
Let my light pen arrest your fleeting shade ; 
Oh ! hither bring the scenes of op'ning youth, 
Mark'd with the seal of innocence and truth ; 
The school-day partner of nay joys and fears, 
Whose long affection, stampt by later years, 
With force resistless strikes upon my mind, 
And wakes the shadows Memory left behind; 
Recall the joyous smile, the sportive jest, 
The sob of Pride, half-own'd and half-supprest ; 
For Pride e'en here exerts her baleful pow'r, 
Felt in our earliest, as our latest hour ; 
The truant footstep, ling'ring on the way, 
The stolen moments of forbidden play; 



11 

And the gay wreath, in sportive Fancy wove, 
With many a smile, and many a vow of love ; 
Which blooms in Memory's eye with equal grace, 
Tho' death's pale hues have long usurp'd their place. 
O'er these fond scenes the restless feelings sigh ; 
Dear valued moments, gone too swiftly by ! 
Nor deem'd we then these day-dreams of delight, 
So soon would mingle with the shades of night : 
Or that thick gath'ring storms should intervene, 
To cloud the prospects of this fairy scene. 
Th' horizon's bound was all the world we knew, 
And Hope's soft pencil ev'ry image drew. 
We scorn'd those strains, with moral precepts fraught, 
Which pious Age, or sage experience taught : 



12 

For what seem'd fair bewitched our guileless breast, 
And infant reason knew no brighter test. 
€ould e'en an Angel's voice one doubt instil, 
When all our wisdom was distrust of ill? 



Along the elm tree walk, as oft we stray'd, 
Where sportive zephyrs thro* the foliage play'd ; 
As youthful fancy wing'd the circling hour, 
We hail'd the charms of Friendship's guileless pow'r, 
The tender secret whisper'd in the ear, 
And the last charge impressed with many a tear. 

There heart to heart the mystic silence broke, 

t 

And guess'd the pain, ere lab'ring sorrow spoke ; 



13 

Or from the sparkling eye that rapture caught, 
Which spurnd control, and mock'd the pow'r of thought. 
Swift like departing shades these joys have flown ; 
Sweet joys, to Love and Friendship only known! 
Yet, as our guardian spirits hover'd nigh, 
These hours of innoceuce were mark'd on high, 



And do not riper years attest their sway I 
Fade their rich tints in life's declining day ? 
Has age no joys to soothe its listless state, 
Or gild the darkning clouds of adverse fate ? 
Yes ! tho' no Friend, of all once lov'd, remains 
To whisper comfort, and to share its pains, 



14 

The cherish'd memory of things long past 
Shall hold the lamp, and brighten to the last. 
Tho 5 all around seems wrapt in endless gloom, 
Friendship still gleams upon the op'ning tomb; 
And the fond hope, inspir'd by pious love, 
Draws back the veil where spirits meet above. 



So fade the shadows of departing day, 
When with mild lustre glows the setting ray: 
So its soft beams, more faintly as they're seen, 
Shed o'er the placid soul a light serene, 
A light more pleasing to the chasten'd mind, 
Than all that dazzling brightness leaves behind. 



15 

Say, whence those gentle sympathies arise, 
That several hearts in fond remembrance prize ? 
Whence glow those warm emotions of the soul, 
Tho* mountains rise, and distant oceans roll ? 

9 

Say, why the mind each sacred relic keeps, 
And o'er its absent pleasures fondly weeps ? 
Whence, Friendship ! but from thee, whose smile 

imparts 
Life, hope, and rapture to congenial hearts? 
Without this charm e'en Fancy's treasures fade, 
Fame is a dream, and Honor but a shade : 
This charm, that time nor absence can efface, 
Which steals from added years improving grace, 
Extends to ev'ry state its strong control, 
From Congo's shores to Zembla's frozen pole; 



16 

In Sorrow's cell, at Pomp's triumphant side ; 
The poor man's solace, and the great man's pride* 



At Congo's name exulting Freedom cries: 
" Ye bartered children, see my hard-earn'd prize ! 

" Securely now enjoy your plantain groves, 
" Your sable Friendships, and your dusky loves ; 
" Or stretch'd at ease by Gambia's ample stream, 
" Of brighter worlds and happier regions dream, 
" Tyrants no more shall mar the God-like plan, 
" Nor rend those ties, which rivet Man to Man." 



u 

Lo, in Arabia's desolated soil, 
Endearing Friendship smoothes the brow of toil, 
And boasts around her hospitable boards, 
Her bands of brothers, and her friendly hordes. 
The smile of fondness, with affection's tear, 
Beneath their rude and simple huts appear. 
These, as with social tenderness they trace 
The tedious march, or urge the toilsome chace, 
To fainting life a cheering balm expand, 
Like tracts of verdure rising mid the sand. 



Nor less in northern climes affection blooms, 
Tho' Nature's face be rob'd in endless glooms, 

B 



18 

There, thro* the long and cheerless night of snow 

The Maid of Greenland mourn'd her hopeless woe ! 

There oft, in Fancy's visionary form, 

She saw the light bark meet the gath'ring storm; 

And thro' the tempest's rage, which rock'd the pole, 

She gaz'd, and watch'd, and wept away her soul : 

To the wild winds her rising terrors cast, 

And mock'd the death, which echo'd thro' the blast. 



The harsh Castilian, glorying to be just, 
Grasp' d with relentless hand his cruel trust ; 
Till the strong picture of domestic woe 
To this sweet impulse taught his heart to glow. 



19 

Then all the ties, which gentler bosoms own, 
Burst on his soul, and pierc'd his heart of stone. 
Down his rough cheek the tear of pity ran, 
And the rude soldier melted into man. 



From this blest fount our brightest poets drew 
Visions of bliss, and scenes for ever new ; 
Scenes that alike the gay and pensive charm, 
Delight the tender, and the rude disarm ; 
And still as fresh and fair shall flow the strain, 
Till Nature fades, and Chaos comes again. 
Oh Love ! without thy voice, thy potent aid, 
Still in the ground the quarried mass had laid : 



20 

Whose breathing forms in ev'ry clime proclaim, 
Starting to life, the Maid of Corinth's fame. 
She whose firm hand at meek Affection's call 
Trac'd the bold outline on the shad'wy wall ; 
And wak'd those slumb'ring arts to light and day, 
That mimic life, and mould the plastic clay. 



Long may the portrait's hallow'd touches lend 
The valued features of the absent Friend ! 
What tho' the shades of feeling are too fine, 
For Art to seize, or Genius to combine ; 
Yet, dear to Friendship, oft with magic fraught, 
They strike the soul, and fix the chain of thought : 



21 

Thought* whose chaste vigils pious Memory keeps, 
Where silent sadness holds her watch, and weeps: 
And, as the mourner o'er the semblance hangs, 
It steals from widow'd sorrow half its pangs. 
Departed joys of Life and Friendship rise, 
And dark Oblivion renders back her prize. 



Let the pale taper's fading lustre tell, 
What kindred souls in cloister'd Friendship dwell ; 
Where moments stole from vigils of the night, 
Depicture scenes still imag'd with delight ; 
Where sighs, oft mingled with the half-form'd pray'r, 
The pious listener's fond compassion share ; 



And hopeless tears, by sad remembrance shed, 
For joys renounced, and hopes for ever fled ; 
In sweet communion sister sorrows blend, 
And closer draw the links of Friend to Friend. 



How sweet the musing of the pensive mind, 
By culture polish'd, and by taste refin'd ! 
Here, in retirement's most secluded bow'rs, 
Inventive Fancy wreathes her sweetest flow'rs. 
Here Memory reviews her secret stores, 
Here Hope, exulting, worlds of bliss explores ; 
But most of all, Affection, hallow'd guest, 
Finds the lone hour the haven of her rest. 



23 

And as these treasur'd scenes of life are view*d, 
Some proof of love is promised or renew'd; 
Self and its narrow joys are thrown aside ; 
Some hope supprest, some cherish'd wish denied, 
For her whose image fills her breast alone, 
Whose bliss reflection doubly makes her own. 



Hail, tender impulse, at whose sacred shrine 
The varying passions all their pow'r resign ! 
Ah, not alone those tumults of the soul, 
Which moral truth and pious faith control ; 
But all those pleasures of the human heart, 
That love of fame and flatt'ring praise impart. 



24 

For this the Muse, who sang in silver strain 
^Eneas' woes, repress'd the flowing vein ; 
To rising worth resigned the wreath of fame, 
And left the lists to grace a rival's name. 
For this when great Hephjestion's noble mien 
Drew royal honors from the captive Queen, 
No jealous fears, that selfish minds invade, 
Cast o'er the son of Jove their baleful shade; 
But proud himself to swell his rival's pride, 
" What tho' the kingly crown be mine" he cried, 
" This noble chief his mighty deeds proclaim 
" More than my equal, only less in name/' 



25 

Scipio and Lifiitius! Fame to you consigned 
The fairest wreath admiring Friendship twin'd ; 
When the immortal precepts Tully taught, 
A brighter lustre from your virtues caught ; 
When he, whose soul th' electric fire possest, 
To pierce the dark, and warm the gen'rous breast, 
From your pure lips those sacred laws convey d ? 
Which the close union of your lives displayed ; 
And not confin d to mutual cares alone 
, On Terence too your Love diverging shone ; 
Your's, with the warmth to social bosoms dear, 
Embrace! a larger range, a wider sphere. 
The props of genius, and the friends of truth, 
Ye hail'd the dawning honors of his youth ; 



26 

Drew from his sprightly lyre a bolder sound, 
And o'er his brows a deathless garland bound. 



To hearts like these, with noblest zeal refin'd, 
Who boast the great in deed, the pure in mind, 
Folly in vain may shoot her dazzling ray, 
And all the empty pomp of life display. 
These the ambitious and the vain persuade, 
Who leave the substance to pursue the shade ; 
And tho' instinctive nature cries aloud, 
Renounce the friend, to court the vulgar crowd ! 
Those with far higher aim, far nobler view, 
The living light of Friendship's path pursue, 



27 

And meet the changing scenes of life unrnov'd ; 
Content in loving, and in being lov'd. 



But say, ye giddy herd, who tread the maze 
Of Fashion's Court, and echo Folly's praise, 
Why, mid this specious semblance of delight, 
The drooping spirit, and the sleepless night 1 
Why, mid this fairy scene, the half-drawn sigh, 
The fading languor of th' averted eye ? 

'Tis that the shrine to which these vot'ries bend, 
Can gain no heart, nor fix one faithful friend. 



28 

Not wise too late, ah ! nobly turn from thence, 
To where true taste can lasting joys dispense : 
Where Virtue triumphs in her native sphere ; 
Where social graces social life endear ; 
And the sweet ties by God and Nature giv'n, 
Twine round the heart, and lift the soul to Heav'n. 



E'en all the bolder virtues of mankind, 
Mingled with these a stronger impulse find ; 
Fair Liberty to matchless feats aspires, 
And Glory kindles hence her brightest fires. 



29 

Amid the annals of heroic fame, 
Recording History marks the Ancient's name ; 
As if the great, the noble, and sublime, 
Were the proud attributes of ruder time : 
And the fine polish of a taste refiri'd, 
Weaken'd the firmer virtues of the mind : 
As the keen chisel, smoothing in its course, 
Discloses beauty with diminished force. 
Nor strange — for ruder times indeed might boast 
Virtues, in these degenrate ages lost. 



What vent'rous deeds the patriot's breast could swells 



Ye sacred band of gallaut warriors tell ! 



30 

When link'd by Friendship, Liberty, and Law, 

Ye couquer'd states, and kept the world in awe. 

Tegyra still records that fatal day, 

When dauntless Sparta bow'd beneath her sway ; 

Sparta, whose Stoic courage long defied 

The charms of pleasure, and the pomp of pride ; 

Who spread with daring hand the veil of night 

O'er dawning science, and instruction's light; 

Repell'd the wheels of time's revolving course, 

And struck with freezing touch improvement's source : 

And, bending Nature to her harsh control, 

Sniother'd the strong emotions of the soul. 

Weigh well the pow'r these colder virtues boast, 

Then view the Theban Friends o'erwhelm her host. 



31 

The Scythian hordes, by Friendly compact 
bound, 
O'er polish'd States an easy conquest found ; 
True to one cause, the mighty phalanx niov'd, 
And the vast weight of martial union prov'd. 
The issuing swarms of Norway's frozen home, 
Spread devastation o'er degen'rate Rome ; 
Their desolating banners, wide unfurl'd^ 
Struck with dismay the Mistress of the World : — 
She fell ; by sad experience taught at length, 
Wealth is no bulwark, distant sway no strength ; 
While this was all their hardy conq'rors* boast : 
The ties of Friendship are themselves a host 



32 

Achilles weeping o'er Patroclus' bier, 
Of Memory claims the tributary tear: 
And tender Nisus, dying to defend 
Belov'd Euryalus, his valiant friend: 
And self-devoted Pythias, who, to save 
The man he lov'd, could sternly dare the grave : 
And faithful Pylades, at the dread shrine 
Of Justice, pleading with a force divine, 
In matchless contest, for the fatal stroke, 
Till Nature's ties the pious secret broke. 
Or go where smiling Wisdom ruFd the hours, 
In Academus' philosophic bow'rs ; 
Where polish'd Athens, in her classic seat, 
To Wit and Friendship gave their best retreat. 



33 

Such fame in later times Sans Sotici shares, 
Where Royalty forgot its pomp and cares ; 
Where classic taste, with courtly ease combin'd, 
Improv'd the social graces of the mind ; 
And love that charms, and mirth that cheers the breast, 
Luird the imperial ills of life to rest : 
While all that wit and elegance inspires, 
As genius fann'd her never-dying fires, 
Shed round the polish'd guests a ray divine, 
By Friendship kindled at her hallow'd shrine. 



Tho' not in courts nor camps she oft reside, 
No Statesman's virtue, and no Courtier's pride, 

c 



34 

Yet fam'd beyond the bright historic page 

Of ancient annals, or our polish'd age, 

The Theban pair, in Faction's wildest hour, 

Its jarring int'rests, its distracting pow'r, 

Beheld the swelling waves of discord roll, 

Unchang'd in Friendship, and unmov'd in soul : 

While the rude storms, which shook the tott'ring state. 

But closer bound and rivetted their fate. 



So, when in Rome Ambition reafd her head, 
When her rank venom base corruption shed, 
Firm in the conscious dignity of Man, 
His blameless course the great Patrician ran. 



35 

Tho' party rage to fiercest discord rose, 
And the best friends became the direst foes, 
He still retain'd the love his truth inspir'd, 
By all respected, and by all admir'd : 
And in the silken bands of social life, 
Join'd rival pow'rs, and queird the civil strife. 



For say, tho' deaf ning trumpets speak success, 
Can the sad soul its secret wish repress ? 
Can civic wreaths substantial joys impart, 
Whilst not a Friend is present to the heart? 
Or mid the flow of ftatt'ry's servile vein, 
The loud applause, the panegyric strain, 



36 

The fawning lips that never disapprove, 

And the soft simper of pretended love, 

Steals not the tear unbidden from the eye ? 

Heaves not the soul the deep, repentant sigh 1 

That asks a share in Nature's social plan, 

The tender sympathy of Man to Man ; 

The generous warmth which amity requires, 

The bold reproof courageous love inspires ; 

The gentle voice that wooes the silent grief, 

And wins the secret, but to give relief: 

The fond surprise, by tenderness prepar'd, 

The sorrow lessen'd, and the pleasure shar'd : 

How much they charm, let Trajan's heart attest, 

Who pour'd his inmost thoughts in Pliny's breast ; 



And great Navarre, triumphant Gallia's pride, 

Who laid the glitt'ring diadem aside, 

To share with Sully, in retirement's scene, 

The social converse, aud the hour serene : 

Joys which the pomp of courts can seldom claim, 

And Royalty possesses but in name. 



Ah Friendship! who shall tell thy soothing pow'r, 
When languid sickness rules the heavy hour ? 
When on the couch, oppress'd by sore disease, 
The restless spirit turns in vain for ease 1 
What grateful incense to the feeling heart, 
To catch the hope endearing smiles impart ; 



38 

To meet the kind caress, the gentle sigh, 

And pity, beaming in the tearful eye ; 

To find, as life's delusive joys expire, 

Some tender breast, where sorrow may retire ; 

Some sheltering haven in that gloomy day, 

When all but Truth and Friendship fade away. 



Benignant Spirit ! in that trying scene, 
Shed o'er the parting soul thy ray serene; 
Blest harbinger of peace, whose siren strain 
Can charm despair, and lull the throb of pain; 
And best prepare it for those realms abore, 
Where all is harmony and perfect love. 



39 

Glory of Greece ! let latest times admire 
What matchless deeds thine energies inspire! 
In Hist'ry's breathing page still let them read 
His name, whose bosom felt thy pow'r indeed. 
How bright, ere fainting Nature sunk to rest, 
Glow'd thy confiding impulse in his breast : 
This nurs'd the hope, which smooth'd the path of death ; 
This rais'd the pray'r that trembled on his breath ; 
When the bold legacy Affection gave, 
Stamp't its immortal triumph o'er the grave. 
Nor less in his, whose gen'rous love prepar'd 
To take the double trust his friend had shar'd ; 
And show admiring worlds what magic spells, 
Expand the heart where boundless Friendship dwells. 



40 

Speak, for ye best can tell, whose varying state 
Has prov'd the blessings and the frowns of fate : 
If more its pow'r, in pleasure or in grief, 
To heighten rapture, or to give relief? — 
Not, will you say, when prosp'rous fortune pours 
Her sparkling pleasures, and her golden stores ; 
Not when life's current smoothly glides along, 
When laughing Folly trills the choral song. 
But when affliction's agonizing tears 
Stream o'er the loss of all that life endears ; 
When slander's breath the fairest virtue taints, 
When honor sickens, and when courage faints; 
When, one by one, pretended friends retire, 
And tow'ring hopes, like fading stars, expire ; 



41 

And most of all, iu that accusing hour, 

When keen remorse exerts its cruel pow'r; 

That child of guilt, which wakes the blush of shame, 

And fans reviving virtue to a flame ; 

That only trace of Eden's blest remains, 

Which still our frail and fallen race retains ; 

Which strongly marks, ere saving grace descenfls, 

Where vice begins, and sinking virtue ends. 



Ah ! ye, whose hearts o'er human mis'ry sigh, 
Arrest this fleeting impulse ere it die ; 
Come, with an Angel's warning voice, to still 
The rising storm, and stem the tide of ill. 



42 

Bend, by the sweet enchantment of your sway, 
The rebel mind that murmurs to obey ; 
Calm its wild passions, and its jarring strife, 
And win the wav'ring spirit back to life : 
Nor let the magic of persuasion pause, 
Till God and pity rise in Friendship's cause. 



Oh, thou, on whose unshelter'd naked head 
Neglect and want their baleful influence shed, 
Sweet Child of Genius, in this favor'd land, 
Twas thine to sink without one saving hand ! 
Had Friendship rais'd for thee her beacon flame, 
Still, Chatterton ! might honor court thy name : 



43 

Admiring worlds no more at thy career, 
In silent grief, would drop the pitying tear ; 
But hold to view a bright example known 
For ev'ry charm that Science calls her own. 



Let not the Passions' transitory reign 
Condemn the heart to everlasting pain- - 
Let not the darkling errors of an hour 
For ever cancel love's protecting pow'r : 
Nor conscious worth, with pride indignant rend 
This tender tie, and sever Friend from Friend. 
No, if one virtue mark the sad career, 
One ray of hope the gloomy prospect cheer; 



44 

One smother'd spark beneath this load of woe, 
That waits for Mercy's hallow'd breath to glow ; 
Tho' forfeit life should sink beneath the steel, 
Let faithful Friendship still display her zeal; 
And tho' her calmer reason disapprove, 
Lament in silence with unshaken love. 



Hope of the wretched, spirit of the brave ! 
Tis thine to comfort when forbid to save ; 
'Tis thine in gentle strains to whisper peace, 
Bid present doubts in future prospects cease ; 
'Tis thine to point the path a Saviour trod, 
To lead the mourner to the throne of God : 



45 

Mount the dread scaffold, soothe his parting breath, 
And twine thy garland round the brow of death. 



Spirit of wounded love ! to thee belongs 
Jaffier's atoning deed for Friendship's wrongs, 
For Pierre denounced, when most he hop'd for aid, 
For honor sacrificed, for Love betray'd ; 
Wrongs for which frowning honor claims its due, 
Tho' Belvidera's self in pity sue; 
For wrongs so piercing life itself must pay : 
Not less than blood can wash the guilt away. 
And lo ! 'tis done — repentant, weeping shame 
Strikes the intreated blow to clear her fame; 



46 

Crowns the last hope on which affection hangs P 
And spares dishonor's aggravated pangs. 



Ah ! never hope by lawless deeds to bind 
In Friendship's virtuous ties the gen'rous mind. 
All, all, but innocence, the charm destroys, 
Bursting the spell that bound her dearest joys ; 
Sheds o'er each scene a dark desponding gloom; 
Embitters life, and gives an early tomb. 
Else why the altered look, the clouded brow, 
And the deep sigh of honor's broken vow ? 
Else why the doubt by riper years confest, 
Doubt, the lone grave where buried comforts rest? 



47 

Where blighted hopes and ruin'd peace proclaim 
Dishonor's triumph under Friendship's name. 



; Tis thus the gallant youth, who pants to claim 
The brightest laurels in the wreath of fame ; 
Gay, open, unsuspecting, artless, warm, 
With heart, nor plotting, nor suspecting harm, 
Too early launched on life's tempestuous stream, 
Finds all his promised hopes a fleeting dream : 
Beneath the smile that won his easy heart, 
Lurk'd cruel malice, and insidious art ; 
Dup'd where he trusted, where he lov'd, betrayed* 
Too sad to hope, too proud to ask for aid; 



48 

With shame reviews the fatal paths he trod, 
And meets, uncalled, the presence of his God. 
Nor only Friendship's name is us'd to speed 
The sharper's purpose and the villain's deed : 
Love's hallow'd title shares the treacherous cheat, 
And oaths and vows seduction's arts complete. 



Thus she, who bloom'd in conscious virtue proud, 
The modest beauty of the rustic crowd ; 
Whose virgin charms, in time's revolving space, 
Were only yielding to the matron's grace ; 
Had no false tale her simple heart assail'd, 
No promis'd dream of endless love prevaiPd, 



49 

That in the softer feelings of her breast, 
Lull'd duty's sterner sentiments to rest ; 
She had not left a mother's shelt'ring arms 
To mourn in solitude her fatal charms ; 
Lo ! sunk in poverty's neglected shade, 
No voice to succour, and no Friend to aid ; 
To Heav'n she turns her meek imploring eyes, 
Neglected suffers, and unnoticd dies. 



Not here, alas ! the dreadful evils cease : 
Burst are those links that bound domestic peace. 
So close the union of the social breast, 
Touch but one string, it vibrates thro' the rest; 



50 

To cruel discord turns the heav'nly strain, 
Jars the fine nerve, and wakes distracting pain ; 
Each pleasing scene parental fondness trac'd, 
By virtue strengthen^, and by beauty grae'd; 
The pride of riper years, the prop of age, 
The purest type of life's unsullied page, 
Fade with the loss of Nature's dearest ties, 
While hope expires with all that hope can prize. 



What mournful strains the Lord's anointed sung, 
When perjur'd Absalom his bosom wrung ; 
That much-lov'd son, o'er whom destruction, veiPd 
In Friendship's mask, too fatally prevaiPd, 



51 

High o'er proud Carmel's consecrated brow, 

Peal'd the sad notes of duty's broken vow. 

Through Heav'n's wide vaults the bitter accents run : 

" O had I died for thee, iny Son, my Son ! n 

Unlike the sorrows of his plaintive Lyre, 

Which mourn'd departed Friendship's genuine fire; 

Then breath'd a tend'rer and a softer strain, 

For " Israel's beauty," numbered with the slain: 

" I weep, my brother Jonathan, for thee : 

" Passing the love of women thine to me/' 



'Mid all the ills that human life displays, 
How few that want inflicts, or wealth allays ! 



52 

Tis from the wounded spirit, cold disdain, 

From slighted vows, and broken Friendship's pain; 

From Honor proving but an empty shade, 

Confiding faith, and trusting love betray'd, 

That canker'd griefs a ready entrance find, 

To wring the heart and pierce the feeling mind. 

For who can picture all the secret grief 

And silent sorrow that defies relief ; 

When Reason's aid, that brings a sure redress 

In other woes, but mocks this sore distress ; 

And makes the tender breast more deeply feel, 

Probing the rankling wound it cannot heal. 

When Friendship weeps, how many fibres bleed, 

While from the soul it's cherished hopes recede ! 



53 

Those lov'd delights on which affection leans, 
Familiar habits, and long- valued scenes ; 
These, as fate severs, and as chance destroys, 
Rend from the heart its solace and its joys ; 
Whilst on remembrance past endearments press, 
And by strong contrast aggravate distress. 



Ah, ye, who bow to reason's cold control, 
Pity the soft refinement of the soul ; 
Pity its nameless pangs, its restless fears, 
Those gentle sympathies that love reveres ; 
Spare the keen jest, till some nice clue you find, 
To trace the fine machinery of the mind ; 



54 

Think not its tears a doubt of love convey ; 
Ye little guess the feeling's secret sway ; 
The pow'r that moulds each fibre to the tone 
Of joy or grief to you can ne'er be known. 
Ah ! sooner strive to grasp the rainbow's hues, 
Or fix the fleeting shades that fancy views ; 
Or count the ceaseless movements of the brain, 
Or the wild phrenzies of the Poet's strain : 
This still shall mock the vain attempts of art, 
This masterpiece of God, a feeling heart. 



Ere yet my timid Muse prepare to sing 
What matchless deeds from kindred Friendships 
spring ; 



55 

Ere yet she pause, her drooping wing to close, 
To snatch from pleasing toils a short repose ; 
Some valued Friends, to fond remembrance dear, 
Some social infrests, claim the tender tear ; 
And by a charm, Affection only gives, 
Arrest the images where Fancy lives. 



O thou, whose memory tunes this artless lay, 
My more than Mother ! in life's early day, 
How lov'd, sweet childhood's blissful hours have known ; 
How mourn'd, succeeding grief, alas ! has shown. 
Yet since thy sainted Spirit wing'd its flight 
To the pure regions of celestial light, 



56 

Oft, when by life's increasing cares opprest, 
I hail'd the soothing thought of virtue blest ; 
Happy that she who wip'd my infant tears, 
Was spar'd the anguish of my riper years ; 
Dear Saint ! to thee my joys were only giv'n, 
For human woes are spar'd the blest of Heav'n. 



And thou, sweet partner of my happiest hours, 
To whom my soul its choicest tribute pours ; 
From whose rich mind, enraptured fancy caught 
The light of intellect, the charm of thought ; 
All that fair truth and brilliant wit impart, 
And most of all, the treasures of thy heart ; 



57 

Ah ! not alone in youth's enchanting prime, 
Friendship like our's displays its pow'r sublime ^ 
Our's the congenial sympathies of mind, 
That soul to soul in tender union bind : 
Our's the delight of sweet reflection's praise, 
The self-approving thought of former days; 
Confiding Faith, by no sad doubts obscur'd ; 
Well-tried esteem, by years of pain secur'd ; 
And the best gift indulgent Mercy gave ; 
The hope of endless love beyond the Grave. 



THE 



PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. 



PART II. 



THE 



PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. 



PART II. 



Amor enim, ex quo amicitia nominata, Princeps est ad 
tenevolentiam conjuugeudam. 

Cicero de Amicitul. 



O divine amiti£ ! f^licite parfaite ! 

Seul mouvement de l'&ine, oa l'exces soit permis. 

Voltaire* 



ARGUMENT. 



Subject proposed — Kindred Friendship — Parental 
Affection — Solomon's judgment — Moses in the* 
bulrushes — Rachel — The pleasing offices of ma- 
ternal love — Filial affection — The Grecian daugh- 
ter — Coriolanus — iENEAS — Pliny — Frater- 
nal affection— Friendship and Love, as relating 



64 

to the heart, synonymous — Connubial Love, as de- 
scribed by Milton, contrasted with its present 
state — Heroic instances — Arria — Eponina — 
Lady Rachel Russell — Lord William Rus- 
sell— Duke of Monmouth— Lord Caven- 
dish — Friendship among Savages — Prince Lee 
Boo — The American Indian — Among Negroes — 
ZEBRONand Zabor — Friendship in a state of 
Nature, contrasted with that produced by the 
refinements of Civilisation— Apostrophe to Friend- 
ship— Episode — Celestial harmony, the link of the 
Creation — The redemption of the world — The social 
Friendships of our Saviour — His love to fallen 
Man — Conclusion. — 



THE 



PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. 



$art 33f* 



Impassion'd Spirits, of no earthly mould, 
Whose souls the attributes of Heav'n unfold ; 
Who, deeply stampt with nature's genuine seal, 
Can nobly suffer, and sublimely feel : 
Say, whence the hope and rapture of those ties, 
Which next to life Creation's children prize ? 

E 



66 

Say, whence the fortitude that danger braves, 
That shares with pity, or with courage saves t 
That yields for those it loves its latest breath, 
Serenely smiling in the arms of death 7 
What the strong impulse all are proud to claim 1 
But Nature, Love, and Friendship, all the same. 



Wide in its influence, ardent in its force, 
The mother's love displays its purest source ; 
Her joyful transports, and her nameless fears, 
As fancy droops, 6r hope reviving cheers, 
Demand no fond return, no mutual aid, 
By love itself the debt of love is paid. 



67 

Her's the persuasive glance, th' inspiring word, 
That snatch'd the infant from th' uplifted sword ; 
Her's the nice instinct, whose unerring test 
Proclaim'd the secret of the tortur'd breast; 
The voice of Nature o'er the wiles of Art, 
The matchless triumph of a mother's heart. 
The very shades of grief which mingle here, 
Do but the more the various joys endear. 
For if this chequer'd scene of things below, 
Iu ev'ry blessing, hides some secret woe, 
; Tis that alternate pain, and pleasing hope, 
May give the mingled feelings ail their scope, 
And that these anxious objects of our care 
A stronger claim, and dearer love may share. 



68 

For chasten'd joy to pensive minds is dear, 

And rapture sparkles in the starting tear. 

As souls like these through doubts and terrors rove, 

Their bliss is heighten'd by sublimer love. 

Thus the all-bounteous hand of Heav'n unites 

Life's sacred duties with its dear delights ; 

And stamps this golden maxim on the breast : 

In blessing others we ourselves are blest. 



Near Nilus' stream, in all the pangs of grief, 
Maternal anguish sought its last relief: 
When to avert the cruel fate decreed, 
The Hebrew Mother twin'd the pliant reed ; 



69 

Nor deem'd she then that Heav'n itself inspired 

The daring thought her throbbing bosom fir'd ; 

And that she trusted to the rolling wave, 

A chosen guide to succour and to save ; 

Her nation's stay in sorrow's trying hour, 

The type of Grace, and Mercy's healing pow'r. 

Her present pain enhanc'd her future joy, 

When, snatch'd from death, she clasp'd her helpless boy. 



Let not the selfish heart that coldly view* 
Affection's many woes, its joys refuse : 
And think, that barren vacancy shall still 
Secure the good alone, and ward the ilk 



70 

The restless soul, by sickling fancy tost, 

In idle fears and airy visions lost, 

Longs for some tie on which its hopes may rest, 

Some cherish'd happiness not yet possest. 

Hence sprung the lonely mother's ceaseless cry : 

" Oh! give me children, Lord, or else I die !" 



Maternal tenderness! wherever found, 
Thou giv'st a magic charm to all around : 
But chief the triumph of thy pow'r is seen 
In the retiring shade, and hour serene ; 
And most of all, when intellect refhVd 
Unfolds the hidden treasures of the mind 



71 

On smiliug lips, where female softness dwells, 
Instruction sits, and weaves her potent spells ; 
And blending pleasure with the themes of truth, 
She forms the soul, and moulds the heart of youth. 
Tho' from the world's gay haunts these duties fly, 
In secret blossom, and in silence die ; 
Her's are the tranquil regions of repose, 
Secure from idle joys, or fancied woes; 
A world, commanding all that taste and sense* 
In calm seclusion, to the soul dispense ; 
Where hope and harmony's enchanting pow'rs 
Gild the gay visions of her happiest hours : 
And thro' the shad'wy veil of fate descry 
A smiling scene of bright unclouded sky ; 



72 

Her's too the blessing, that no storms molest, 
The settled sunshine of a spotless breast. 



And does not filial tenderness prepare 
A sweet reward for Nature's early care 1 
From infant beauty, with its artless wiles, 
To dawning intellect's expressive smiles, 
As life unfolds, some new endearment flows, 
Some winning charm, where pure affection glows. 
Thron'd in a look, or glist'ning in a tear, 
These choicest treasures of the heart appear ; 
And thro' the gloom of sickness, grief, and pain, 
Bid hope revive, and rapture bloom again. 



Nor do these softer attributes we find 

Exclude the bolder feelings of the mind ; 

But rous'd, to noblest, highest deeds give birth ; 

Parents of virtue, dignity, and worth. 

The pious child, to Grecian mem'ry dear, 

Reckless of justice, unsubdued by fear, 

Like the bright glory of Celestial pow'r, 

That cheer'd the captive saint's lone midnight hour, 

Sought her lov'd Sire — his gloomy prison shar'd, 

And to his lips her swelling bosom bar'd ; 

From whence the warm and living stream that flow'd, 

Gave back the being filial duty ow'd. 

He too, whose stern revenge each plea refus'd, 

Each pray'r, by love and soft persuasion us'd, 



74 

When neither wife, nor child, nor native home, 

Could raise one feeling for ungrateful Rome ; 

By filial duty's stronger pleadings won, 

Sunk the proud Roman in the tender son. 

His, too, the filial wreath, who nobly bore 

His Sire thro' scorching flames from Ilium's shore : 

And his, who mid the earth's convulsive jar, 

When Nature shook with elemental war, 
The dark abyss and burning lava brav'd, 

And from impending death a mother sav'd. 



Next in the sister's love, and brother's truth, 
Affection triumphs o'er the heart of youth ; 



75 

With this, kind Heav n her fair creation crown'd, 

Souls of no sex, in sacred union bound ; 

But where the shades of sex perhaps may claim 

A tend'rer care, and wake a livelier flame. 

As innocence her helpless state endears, 

And his commanding soul her heart reveres ; 

More strongly glows each transport of the mind, 

That knits the bands by sweet affection twin'd. 

And while the modest beauties of the maid 

Give to his bolderdeeds a soft'ning shade, 

His daring courage, and exalted sense, 

To her the loftier energies dispense, 

Of matchless fortitude, and bounteous pride; 

Boldness to think, and conscious sense to guide. 



76 

Twins in affection, lineament, and soul, 
In sacred harmony their moments roll. 
His heart and sentiment in her we trace, 
Adorn'd with all the charms of female grace : 
In him her mind, her features, and her air, 
More boldly touch'd, less exquisitely fair. 



Thus, when the portraits glowing beauties give 
Those breathing forms where truth and nature live, 
In the rich tints these mimic strokes display, 
Each harsher outline gently melts away ; 
And the fair copy of each charm wc view 
Drawn with a lighter hand, and mellower hue. 



77 

Immortal Love ! thy pow'r Creation sways, 
Each bosom owns thee, and each heart obeys; 
'Tis thine to bid the slumbering spirit soar 
To heights sublime, and worlds of bliss explore; 
To deeds of fame and glory's wreaths aspire, 
And feed its flaming torch with heav'nly fire ! 

Yes ! from the charm of love no breast's secure, 

The bold avow it, and the meek endure ; 

The rough it softens, and the rude disarms, 

Expands the selfish, and the senseless charms ; 

Tho' breath'd thro' sighs, and oft bedew'd with tears ? 

To pensive minds this but the pain endears ; 

And these lov'd griefs, so long indulged, proclaim 

The pain is pleasure by another name* 



78 

Tis the strong link that kindred spirits binds ; 
'Tis the last polish of exalted minds ; 
'Tis rapture kindled at affection's shrine ; 
? Tis virtue strengthen^ by a force divine. 
For not by love is meant that restless joy, 
Which smiles to wound, and dazzles to destroy ; 
Which takes its birth from beautv s fading flow'r, 
And like its emblem, blossoms but an hour ; 
That sees perfection never found below, 
Save in the rapture of a lover's vow ; 
When daring souls celestial regions rove, 
To deck with angel charms a mortal love ; 
As bold Prometheus, from the realms of day, 
Stole heav'nly fire to light his fashion'd clay : 



79 

But all that lasts when beauty's charms are fled, 
When sense expires, and gross desire is dead ; 
The joy reflection's silent hour can bear, 
Reason can justify, and virtue share. 
Love best display'd in rnis'ry's bitter lot, 
Which triumphs most when pleasure is forgot. 



Oh ! for that hallow'd voice, whose strains sublime 
Sang wedded love in Eden's blissful clime ; 
When no mistrust disturb'd its guileless joy, 
Love knew no doubt , and rapture no alloy ; 
When Heav'n's great host composed the glorious train, 
And listening Angels pour'd the nuptial strain; 



80 

While the Almighty's fiat from on high, 
Proclaimed to worlds unborn the sacred tie ; 
And bade th' immortal cup of pleasure flow 
In endless streams, unmix'd with human woe. 



Connubial love, behold thy alter'd state ! 
Mingled with mutual wrongs, with mutual hate ; 
The sullen discontent, the silent grief, 
The hopeless misery that mocks relief; 
The lips condemned in tender strains to move, 
When the heart sickens at the name of love. 
The blushing maid, by sordid interest sold, 
And virtue barter'd for increase of gold ; 



81 

Discord and doubt, with jealous passion's strife, 
The tyrant husband, and the faithless wife ; 
For where we trace those beauties of the mind, 
Which souls congenial in pure concord bind ; 
Some adverse star, relentless pow'r, presides, 
Their fortune severs, and their fate divides ; 
Blasts ev'ry joy in youth's enchanting bloom, 
And gives the widow'd heart an early tomb. 



To snatch your fame from dark oblivion's wing, 
Your proud memorials, honored matrons, bring; 
And let your bright examples nobly prove, 
That time has known the charms of wedded love j 

F 



82 

That Heav'n's best boon, which once, so fate ordain'd/ 

Ere base alloys its holy nature stain'd, 

Could give the color of revolving years, 

Could animate with smiles, or grieve with tears, 

Doom'd by its worth no common fate to know, 

To feel the vast extremes of bliss or woe* 



Devoted Arri a, wife of heav'nly mould ! 
To latest ages shall thy tale be told ; 
Whilst Admiration, in thy double claim, 
Doubting which duty most exalts thy fame, 
Records the love that near an infanfs bier, 
With matchless courage check'd the starting tear ; 



83 

To shine the wife, renounc'd the mother's part, 
Sparing the anguish of a father's heart. 
Then when tyrannic law condemn'd her lord, 
In her own bosom plung'd the fatal sword ; 
And glorying as she drew the reeking blade, 
To point the path, and mingle shade with shade ; 
In death's last pang supprest the parting sigh, 
And taught a Roman Hero how to die. 



Her virtuous praise, too, shall the muse relate, 
Who nobly shar'd an exil'd husband's fate, 
Whose love and anguish, veil'd from human sight, 
Gave birth to beauty in the shade* of nighjt : 



84 

Shrouded the ties of Love in infant bloom* 
And cradled Nature in an early tomb. 



From ev'ry hope in life's fair prospects torn, 
Her martyr'd lord, see pious Rachel mourn ; 
She, who beyond e'en life and love could prize 
A glorious recompense above the skies ; 
Who to the little hour that guilt might claim, 
Preferred his honor and unsullied fame ; 
And from fhe judgment of a tyrant's laws, 
To God and future ages left his cause, 
O potent miracle of wedded love ! 
The Friend renounc'd, to crown the Saint above ; 



85 

That Friend, for whom the gallant Monmouth rose, 
A faithful champion mid a host of foes, 
Unsheath'd in Freedom's cause th' avenging sword, 
Weeping to share the blow he could not ward ; 
That Friend, whom Cavendish implor'd in vain, 
To change with him the captive's galling chain ; 
Who nobly scorn'd a base inglorious flight, 
Purchas'd by Honor, and by Friendship's right; 
And meekly bowing to a traitor's fate, 
Expir'd the victim of a tyrant's hate. 



But, ah ! not here the hope of England fled i 
Virtue still liv'd, tho' guiltless Russell bled ; 



86 

The deathless lustre of whose soul we trace 

In other Russells of his noble race ; 

In whom as pure the mantling current flow'd ; 

In whom as bright the love of honor glow'd ; 

As firm in liberty's defence unmov'd, 

Like him lamented, and like him beloved. 



Say, do the warm affections of the heart 
Demand the culture of improving art ? 
Glows not the breast in nature's rudest clime, 
With love as pure, with fervors as sublime, 
Tho' rock'd by storms, and nurtur'd in the wild, 
As Fortune's fav'rite, Education's child ? 



87 

Yes, to this heav'nly flame the soul expands, 
Tho' darkling Error forge her iron bands ; 
Tho' learning's treasures be to her unknown, 
Her feelings play, by Nature taught alone : 
From the cold poles, to earth's remotest plain, 
Extends their vast and universal reign ; 
But as the spark in dying embers lies, 
Till the reviving breath of Heav'n arise, 
When, fann'd to life, it spreads its glowing rays, 
And circling mounts in wide triumphant blaze ; 
So oft, to torpid apathy resigned, 
Repose these silent energies of mincj, 
Till some idea touch the secret chain, 
Where, closely link'd, the busy thoughts remain ; 



88 

Then rous'd, or joy or sorrow they dispense 
As flow the sympathies of soul and sense. 



When Abba's son beheld the sails unfurl'd, 
To hail the wonders of a western world, 
Not all that hope pourtray'd, or Fancy drew, 
Could soothe the anguish of a last adieu, 
Tho' flatf ring tales of promised good were told, 
And the rich treasures Science would unfold, 
When at his call the sun of truth should smile 
On the wild regions of his infant isle ; 
Tho' dear the impulse of the youthful breast, 
That feels in bliss conferred supremely blest ; 



$9 

Yet dearer far to him those tender ties, 
Which most in sorrow's parting hour we prize ; 
And while remembrance on each object hangs, 
And separation sharpens all his pangs ; 
His Friends, his Kindred of his native shore 
Strike with a feeling, scarcely known before ; 
All the sweet scenes of early life appear, 
And fond affection hails her triumph here. 



Far as the eye from Andes' heights can trace 
Untrodden shores and Ocean's boundless space ; 
Where Superstition rears her giant head ; 
Where tropic suns their burning splendors shed ; 



90 

O'er trackless wilds, beneath whose covert shade 
Love never smil'd, nor graceful Beauty play'd : 
But ambush'd deep, and arm'd with deadly stiugs, 
The venom'd snake its warning rattle rings ; 
Go, trace what charm th* untutor'd Indian won, 
When first salvation's dawning glories shone ; 
Not the pure truth, in glowing language drest, 
Of life immortal, and eternal rest; 
But the sweet promise Revelation gave, 
That happy spirits meet beyond the grave. 
This the sole wish his simple nature knew ; 
The brightest paradise his fancy drew : 
Thus as he faintly haiFd the rising light 
Illume the heavy cloud of error's night, 



sri 

Faith o'er his spirit pour'd her rays divine, 

And Superstition bow'd to Friendship's shrine. 



So when the sun's meridian lustre glows 
On some tall mountain, wrapt in Alpine snows, 
Its gloomy caves and horror-breathing steeps, 
Where the fierce daemon of the tempest sleeps, 
In streams pellucid gently melt away, 
Baring it's bosom to the blaze of day. 



But let the feelings of the savage breast, 
In Zelia's fate th' astonjsh'd mind arrest ; 



92 

She by her sable beauty doom'd to prove 

The boldest Friendship, and the direst love ; 

Doom'd.to proclaim, in passion's glowing tone, 

What ardent spirits fire the torrid zone ; 

When warm in youth, and rich in manly grace, 

Lions in courage, of the Negro race, 

Their hearts, their fortunes, and their love the same, 

Zebeon and Zabor felt the fatal flame. 

From earliest years the tender faith they bore, 

That eas'd the galling fetters slavery wore ; 

And as a brother shar'd a brother's toil, 

They bless'd the chains which bound them to the soil ; 

Till with the fetal dart their bosoms strove, 

Till mutual anguish own'd their mutual love. 



93 

Then came the bitter conflict of the heart, 

From the lov'd maid or cherish'd friend to part ; 

Here Zabor's sighs proud Zebron's love control, 

Wringing to agony his lofty soul ; 

There tender Zabor mourns his Friend's despair, 

If pity yield, what honor must not share. 

u Spare, spare that thought," distracted fondness cries, 

*' Not mine the pang I fear, the bliss I prize : " 

Then tears and groans their lab'ring grief reveal, 

Then vows of endless truth their union seal. 

While thus in pensive agony they stray'd, 

Trial too hard ! they meet the much-Iov'd maid. 

At once, oh miracle ! in Friendship's cause, 

Nature and sense suspend their sovereign laws ; 



94 

The storm is hashed, the fierce desire supprest, 

And passion silenc'd to eternal rest. s- 

On her dear form they gaze with heavy sighs, 

Weep tears of blood, then raise to heav'n their eyes ; 

Alternate clasp her in their sable arms, 

Alternate mourn her all-seductive charms ; 

And ere relenting love the blow could ward, 

Deep in her bosom fix the fatal sword : 

Pour forth their anguish in a last adieu, 

Then rush on death, to matchless Friendship true. 



Such the impetuous feelings of the breast, 
By Nature's hand, in savage wildness, drest : 



95 

Bold, lawless, unrestrained, they revell'd here, 
And made th' untutor'd heart their native sphere. 
Yet in this jarring conflict of the soul, 
This war of passions, bound by no control, 
That like the fierce Tornado's dreadful course, 
Sweeps the wide plain with unresisted force ; 
Where devastation, with terrific form, 
Howls thro* the blast, and revels in the storm; 
E'en Love, immortal Love, whom all obey, 
And Jealousy, which rules with tyrant sway ; 
Aud Hope, that ev'ry absent bliss supplies, 
And life itself, with all that life can prize ; 
All here forgotten, or all here supprest, 
The glorious triumph of the heart confest: 



96 

And Friendship, smiling on this Indian Me, 
Proud of her conquest, deck'd their funeral pile. 



Friendship, blest pow'r! to thee alone is giv'n, 
To blend the vast extremes of earth and heav n. 
'Tis thine to soften thro' this boundless frame 
Each jarring int'rest, and divided claim; 
Discordant tastes in perfect union draw, 
To bend revolting passions to thy law. 
Tho' nature, prejudice, and clime oppose, 
To make the sons of earth the bitt'rest foes, 
'Tis thine with chains of adamant to bind 
The rebel heart, and centre mind in mind. 



97 

From scenes like these, which holy grief o'erspreads, 
We turn where Love a softer lustre sheds ; 
Where Science and Refinement, hand in hand, 
Lead mild Philosophy's celestial band. 
First, tender Pity ! soft'ning Sorrow's reign ; 
Then Patience, meekly bearing ev'ry pain, 
With all the Arts that humanize the mind, 
And Charity, embracing all mankind ; 
And bright-ey'd Faith, intent on thingsdivine, 
And Passions, harmoniz'd at Mercy's shrine ; 
And Piety, that soars to realms above, 
Yielding it's earthly to a heav'nly love; 
Where the pure flame, from ruder feelings freed, 
Shines all that man can wish, and God decreed. 

G 



98 

Long to her sons shall Scotia tell the tale 
Of sister beauties, in fair Leadnoch's vale : 
Scotia, who boasts her wild romantic glades, 
Her mountains lost in deep empurpled shades ; 
Whose tow'ring crags, by peals of thunder rivn, 
Bear the dark clouds, and court the storms of Heavn. 
Now threatening tempests from their haughty brow, 
Now softly gleaming in the lakes below; 
Where wizard Fancy, with her magic wand, 
Still summons visions at her bold command. 
Nurse of wild dreams, and superstitious fears, 
That pierce the veil of long succeeding years, 
That steal from life the joys which most we prize. 
Or give to hope, what reason oft denies : 



99 

Scotia, where taste and feeling's sweetest child, 
The Border Minstrel, poured his wood-notes wild, 
O'er hills that erst with war and music rung, 
As Fingal triumph'd, and as Ossian sung. 



But here no glowing scenes, by genius drest, 
No fancied woes the listening ear arrest ; 
Plain simple truth reflects her living rays 
On the sad picture of departed days. 
And long the soldier, resting on his arms, 
The village maid, unconscious of her charms, 
The thoughtful shepherd, whistling o'er the plains, 
The prattling nurse, the infant's lisping strains, 



100 

Shall chant in rude traditionary lay, 

The fate of Bessy Bell and Mary Gray. 



Ill-fated pair ! from childhood's earliest years, 
One in their mind and heart, their hopes and fear*. 
Together had they reach'd life's vernal day, 
Like two sweet blossoms on one parent spray, 
That, join'd by Nature, equal beauty claim ; 
Their shades, their fragrance, and their growththe same. 
Scarce rose the wish, ere love its purport caught, 
And sympathy divin'd the sister thought ; 
The only hope their spotless hearts confest, 
Was Friendship in her boundless wishes blest; 



101 

Their's the fine form, to just proportion true, 

As genius taught, and classic models drew ; 

Their's Beauty, in Simplicity's pure vest, 

And Innocence, by artless Nature drest ; 

Th' angelic mildness of the gentle dove, 

The look of Heav'n, and graceful smile of Love, 

In them, too, Pride of ancestry might trace 

The ancient lineage of a noble race ; 

The pow'r that rul'd, the pomp that fill'd the earth, 

With all the honors of distiiiguish'd birth. 

But on such themes does Nature love to dwell? 

Do pomp or pow'r her simple numbers swell ? 

Far other strains are tar's, to her more dear 

The tender sigh of Love, and Pity's tear ; 



102 

The mutual wish, the fond endearing kiss, 
The smile expressive of unsullied bliss ; 
More dear to her, light tripping o'er the plains, 
This artless pair, their pleasures and their pains, 
When arm in arm, they sought their lov'd retreat 
The ivied summer-house, the moss-grown seat ; 
The scenes of infancy's enchanting hour, 
Sweet spots, endear'd by recollection's pow'r ; 
Where youth her gay, fantastic colors threw, 
And mus'd on pleasures past, or pictur'd new ; 
And promised all that glowing hope desires, 
Her warm wish kindled at affection's fires ; 
But ah ! the current of their moments past, 
In joys too bright for life, too pure to last. 



103 

For issuing from the earth's contagious springs, 

The demon plague o'er Scotia spread his wings; 

From angry clouds his dart malignant flung, 

Bow'd the strong sinews, and the nerves unstrung : 

Beauty and strength alike the havoc shar'd, 

Nor age nor sex the fatal poison spar'd ; 

O'er sick'ning worlds the sure destruction spread, 

And desolation stalk'd amidst the dead. 

Then rank infection burst from ev'ry pore, 

Then dark suspicion clos'd the social door. 

Then came the lonely hour, the bitter tear, 

The stolen interview, and speechless fear ; 

The last embrace that wrings the bleeding heart, 

And the dread stroke, more keen than death, to part 



104 

But here the hope, on which affection hangs, 
BeguiFd the pow'r of sorrow's bitter pangs ; 
Still treacherous dreams of youthful fancy glow'd, 
And thus sweet Mary's ardent feelings flow'd : 



" Oh, that our love some hallow'd spot could find, 
" Sacred to spirits of congenial mind ; 
" Some lone retreat, where no infectious breath 
" Pours on the chilling air the blast of death ; 
" No fever rages in the throbbing veins, 
* Nor phrenzy tortures with delirious pains ; 
" Content with what primaeval life supplies, 
" The turf our bed, our canopy the skies ; 



105 

" Then come what will, this privilege we have, 

M To share one fate— one home — perhaps one grave" 



" No more, no more/' her fair companion cries, 
rt This cherish'd wish our native clime supplies; 
" 'Mid blooming Leadnoch's deep embowering trees, 
** This heav'n of rest prophetic fancy sees ; 
" Where safe concealed, we'll fix our sylvan seat, 
" Hope's dear asylum, Friendship's last retreat; 
M For us the larch a verdant roof shall bend, 
" For us the pine its spreading mantle lend. 
" Where piercing winds and scorching suns pervade, 
" We'll weave the foliage of the aspen shade ; 



106 

** The blushing rose and violet we'll entwine 
"With lilies of the vale and eglantine." 



1% done, the busy world invites in vain— 
That world which they must ne'er behold again ; 
For now the hand of fate a shadow throws, 
Darkening the scenes, and conjures woes on woes. 
But e'er the weeping muse their doom rehearse, 
Changing for mournful strains the sprightly verse^ 
Fain would recording memory retrace 
The simple beauties of this chosen place ; 
The hawthorn spreading far its tufted shade ; 
The brook that rippled thro* the mantling glade 



107 

The flow'ry dell, perfum'd with native sweets ; 
The rising hills, that sheltered these retreats ; 
The tuneful lark, that pour'd his matin lay ; 
The roses blushing on their simple spray ; 
The river, rolling o'er its rocky bed, 
Here dash'd in torrents, there in mirrors spread ; 
All that could health bestow, or life insure : 
Fit haunts for love so true, for hearts so pure. 



Now from their flowing vest the zone unbound, 
Confines the boughs that float luxuriant round ; 
Here the light net, which tress'd their auburn hair, 
With leaves entwin'd, excludes the chilling air ; 



108 

There for their couch the velvet moss is spread ; 
There fragrant violets on their pillow shed ; 
Fresh buds and blossoms pour their rich perfume* 
In waving honors from the foliag'd dome ; 
Beneath whose hallow'd arch, by beauty rear'd, 
No nymphs so fair and fond have since appeared. 
With sweets like these, in Eden's happy hour, 
Primaeval Eve adorn' d her bridal bow'r ; 
Tor then she knew simplicity's sweet grace, 
And innocence sat smiling on her face ; 
Then heav'nly music filPd the tuneful grove, 
Then Nature smil'd with harmony and lovfe. 



109 

Scarce had the moon, whose crescent lamp adonis 
Night's sable throne, renew'd her silver horns, 
When, as they rose to hail the dawn of day, 
Rous'd by the early lark's melodious lay, 
With eye exploring, and with pensive mien, 
On distant hills a highlander was seen ; 
A chequer'd tartan, o'er his shoulders flung, 
Down his fine form in graceful foldings hung ; 
Whilst sportive zephyrs, from his brow of care, 
Wav'd in the dazzling sun his golden hair. 
His plumage nodding to the passing gale, 
With eager step he bounded o'er the vale. 
His quick approach the blushing maids descried: 
'Twas the young Ronald, Caledonia's pride, 



110 

Who, long enamour'd of the happy pair, 
Oft wove the chaplet for their flowing hair ; 
Or wooed the plaintive turtle from its nest, 
Or culFd the nosegay for their snowy breast : 
His only pleasure on their steps to wait, 
Friend of their hearts, and partner of their fate. 
Now, as the sun its orient lustre shed, 
And sweets ambrosial round the valley spread, 
Its floating beams that 'mid the branches play'd, 
Piere'd at each passing breeze a chequer'd shade ; 
And to his search the fairy haunt reveal'd, 
From all but Friendship's eager eye conceaPd. 
Then mutual glances, messengers of love, 
Confirm his wishes, and his doubts remove. 



Ill 

He stops, a rising blush o'erspreads his cheek, 
And thus his trembling lips attempt to speak: 



u O bright examples of unrivalTd truth ! 
" Dear, lov'd companions of my happy youth ! 
" If ever yet ye lov'd your Ronald's name, 
<c If his pure faith one gen'rous boon may claim ; 
" Here let him bear the toil, the danger share, 
s< Your smiles his recompence, your life his care : 
*• For you, each morn the choicest fruits he'll bring, 
" Flow'rs from the mead, and crystal from the spring; 
u Climb the steep rock, explore the neighb'ring wood, 
" To cull with careful hand your simple food. 



112 

u And when her shadows silent evening throws, 

" When wearied Nature sinks to soft repose, 

" When hov'ring near, as love and nature free, 

" The bird of night shall pour her minstrelsy, 

<e And to seraphic dreams your slumbers charm ; 

" His watchful care shall shield your couch from ham*/ 



He ceas'd, nor waited long the kind assent 
Soft Pity to the pray'r of Friendship lent. 
Nor here let Modesty avert her eye, 
Nor sland'rous thought it's pow'r licentious try : 
Here dwelt no thought that virtue should conceal, 
No wish that Saints or angels might not feel : 



113 

No cruel glance that jealous passion flings ; 
No doubt, that tortures with a thousand stings ; 
But the pure intercourse of heart and mind, 
Friendship and Love in purest union join'd; 
The gen'rous warmth confiding faith inspires, 
And the firm trust that but with life expires ; 
And sympathy, that kindred bosoms sways, 
Kindling to rapture feeling's latent rays. 



Oh favor'd youth ! oh happy state ! if aught 
On earth were so — Oh good too dearly bought ! 
The April ray, that gilds the early Spring, 
The down that paints the butterfly's light wing ; 

H 



114 

Visions that vanish if a cloud arise, 

Are lasting to the transient joys we prize. 

E'en while he told of Love's delightful pains, 

The fatal spoiler revelPd in his veins ; 

Faint and more faint the vital springs supplied 

The ebbing current of life's crimson tide ; 

The fluttering pulse its earthly mansion fled, 

And now he sunk, to mingle with the dead. 

Nor he alone ; the deadly poison flew 

In the last sigh his parting spirit drew. 

And while the mournful fair with tears inhume 

His pallid corse, and deck th' untimely tomb, 

Their fading forms announce the cruel foe, 

Their trembling limbs the pious task forego ; 



115 

Death o'er the closing scene his mantle cast. — 

So droops the lily at the winfry blast. 

" Pass but a few short hours, this trial o'er, 

" We meet," fond Mary cried, "to weep no more." 

The gentle Bessy clasp'd her to her heart: 

" O blest indeed, not e'en in death to part V* 

Nor spake again — the lamp of life grew dim, 

And birds unconscious sang their fun'ral hymn* 



But while these stars, so faintly seen below, 
In better worlds with brighter lustre glow, 
E'en here does dark oblivion's shadow steal 
O'er scenes so dear to hearts, that deeply feel ? 



116 

No, the bold energies of souls sublime 

Dispute their triumph o'er the wreck of time. 

Tho' no proud trophy o'er their ashes rise, 

The charm of Love and Virtue never dies ! 

Love, sweet enchantress, Nature's sov'reign queen, 

Holds her mild empire o'er the shad'wy scene ; 

And in the mirror mem'ry holds to view, 

She bids their gentle virtues bloom anew. 

Still thro' the shade of Leadnoch's sacred grove, 

Responsive echoes tell the sighs of love ; 

Still leaving turfs, in gay luxuriance drest, 

Spread their wild sweets o'er Beauty's mould'ring breast ; 

Still the clear stream, to Scottish legends dear, 

In soothing murmurs wakes the pilgrim's tear ; 



117 

And Almond rolls in majesty along, 

Still the sad theme of many a minstrel's song. 

But oh ye pow'rs, that snatch from Time's decay 

The rich remains of worth and virtue ! say, 

Why no rais'd sods o'er Ronald's ashes bloom ? 

Fears love a rival in the silent tomb 2 

Yef why this doubt — Far, far beyond the heap, 

Which marks the spot where short-liv'd mortals sleep, 

Itself decaying like its kindred dead, 

Hope lifts the veil by human blindness spread ; 

Aloft on Faith's triumphant spirit soars, 

And W T orlds of bliss thro' boundless space explores ; 

Where knit by mercy in celestial bands, 

To perfect love the yearning heart expands. 



118 

Yes; from the hour Creation's wonders glow'd, 

To where the light of Revelation flow'd ; 

From Brutes to Man, from Man to God, we trace 

One glorious system of Almighty grace. 

Celestial harmony all Nature fills ; 

Earth's secret caves resound it to the hills ; 

The hills re-echo to each vale and grove ; 

The groves and vallies to the vaults above ; 

Seraphic spirits catch the choral strain, 

And Angels mingle with the joyful train. 

He comes, he comes, "Let the floods clap their hands,' 

And bear the tidings to remotest lands. 

He bursts the bonds by Superstition wrought, 

To darken reason and entangle thought ; 



H9 

With Mercy breaks Oppression's iron rod, 
And leads from love of Man to love of God ; 
And to the doubtful terrors of the mind 
Proclaims this truth : Salvation to mankind. 



Angels of glory ! strike your sacred lyres, 
And write a Saviour's love in hallow'd fires ; 
The Son of God reveals his dazzling light; 
Spirits of mortal Friendships, veil your sight! 
And, rapt in wonder, gratitude, and love, 
Leave earthly ties, and soar to realms above. 



120 

Ah ! not alone in mercy to our race, 
The boundless charities of Christ we trace ; 
But in those gentler offices that charm 
The ills of life, and grief and pain disarm ; 
In all that pity breathes, and hope desires, 
Compassion feels, and holy love inspires ; 
In John, the lov'd disciple of his heart ; 
In Mary too, who chose the better part ; 
In all his deeds to pardon and to save ; 
In buried Laz'rus, rising from the grave ; 
In Mary Magdalen's repentant tear ; 
In his last charge to filial kindness dear ; 
In the forgiving pray'r, that mark'd his death, 
When Mercy trembled on his parting breath; 



121 

In the reviving boon to mortals giv'n, 
The bread of life, the cheering cup of Heav'n, 
Ere with his blood he seal'd Redemption's plan, 
And died himself, to save rebellious Man. 



NOTES. 



NOTES 



ON 



THE FIRST PART. 



PAGE 17. LINE 1. 

Lo, in Arabia's desolated soil. 

." L'enthousiasme de Pamitie a ete plus fort chez les 

" orecs et les Arabes que chez nous. Les contes que ces 

" peuples ont imagines sur Pamitie sont admirables, nous 

" n'en avons point de pareils." 

Voltairt. 



128 



PAGE 24. LINE 1. 



For this the Muse, who sang in silver strain. 

The Roman Poet, who was not more eminent by his 
genius, than amiable in his moral character, affords per- 
haps the most remarkable instance of the concessions 
which a mind strongly impregnated with sentiments of 
genuine amity, is capable of making. . Virgil's superior 
talents rendered him qualified to excel in all the nobler 
species of poetical composition ; nevertheless, from the 
most uncommon delicacy of Friendship, he sacrificed to 
his intimacy with Horace the unrivalled reputation he 
might have acquired by indulging his lyric vein; as from 
the same refined motive, he forbore to exercise his dra~ 



129 

matic powers, that he might not obscure the glory of his 
Friend Varius. 

Aurum, et opes, et rura, frequens donabit amicus -, 
Qui velit ingenio cedere, rarus erit. 

Mart, viii. 18. 

See Remarks on Lcelius by W. Melmoth, Esq. 



PAGE 24. LINE 5. 

For this, when great Hephcestio?i's noble mien. 

Hephaestion was the Friend and favorite of Alexander ; 
He accompanied him in his Asiatic conquests ; Alexander 
was so inconsolable at his death, that he ordered the 
sacred fire to be extinguished, which was never done 
but on the death of a Persian Monarch. 



130 

PAGE 25. LINE 1. 

Scipio and Lcelius ! Fame to you consign 9 d. 

Laelius, a Roman Consul, was so intimate with Scipio 
the younger, that Cicero represents him in his Treatise 
on Friendship, as explaining the real nature of Friend- 
ship, with its attendant pleasures. They were suspected, 
on account of their intimacy with Terence, of having 
assisted him in the composition of his Comedies. 

PAGE 27. LINE 3. 

But say, ye giddy herd who tread the maze 
Of fashion s court, and echo folly's praise. 

" Luxury confining a man's whole views to himself, 



131 

* admits not of Friendship, and scarcely of any other 
" passion." 
Sketches of the History of Man, by Lord KAIMES. 

PAGE 30. LINE 3. 

Tegyra still records that fatal day. 

Tegyra, a town of Boeotia. It was here that the 
Spartans met with the most signal defeat they had ever 
experienced, and that by a force consisting only of 300 
foot; but these were the flower of the Theban army, 
distinguished by the name of the sacred band, formed 
by Pelopidas. They were as remarkable for their fidelity 
as for their strength and courage : linked together by 



132 

the bonds of Friendship, and sworn to support the com- 
mon cause to the last extremity, they became invincible, 
and generally turned the seale of victory in their favor 
for a number of years. They were at length cut down 
by the Macedonian phalanx, under Philip. 

See Goldsmith's History of Greece. 

PAGE 31. LINE 1. 

The Scythian hordes, by Friendly compact bound. 

When that spirit of patriotism and valor, that united 
every heart in the general cause of success and liberty, 
became subordinate to separate interests and selfish con- 
siderations, Rome soon fell a prey to the incursions of 
the hardy inhabitants of the north, who in successive 



133 

swarms migrated from these barbarous provinces, and 
soon overcame the effeminate and corrupted people of 
this mighty empire. Marching in vast bodies, and ce- 
mented by the ties of concord and affection, their attacks 
were irresistible, and the frontiers of these southern pro- 
vinces, but feebly guarded, left an easy passage to their 
progress to the capital, which in a short time beheld the 
seat of empire pass into the hands of a race, whom 
hitherto it had awed by subjection, or subdued by force. 

PAGE 32. LINE 1. 

Achilles xvccping o'er Patroch.s' bier. 
See Iliad, Book 23. Verse 25. 



134 

PAGE 32. LINE 3. 

And tender Nisus, dying to defend. 

See the Episode of Nisus and Euryalus, in the /Eneid, 
Book 9. Verse 76. 

PAGE 32. line 5. 

And self-devoted Pythias, who to save. 

Pythias, a Pythagorean philosopher, very intimate 
with Damon. The latter having being condemned by 
Dionysius, he obtained from the tyrant leave to go and 
settle his domestic affairs, on promise of returning at a 
stated hour to the place of execution. Pythias pledged 
himself to undergo the punishment which was to be 



135 

inflicted on Damon, should he not return in time, and he 
consequently delivered himself into the hands of the 
tyrant. Damon returned at the appointed moment, and 
Dionysius was so struck with the fidelity of the two 
Friends, that he remitted the punishment, and entreated 
them to permit him to share their Friendship, and enjoy 
their confidence. 



page 32. line 7. 

And faithful Pylades, at the dread shrine. 

The inviolable Friendship of Orestes and Pylades was 
proverbial among the ancients, and the two Friends 
received divine honors among the Syrians, and were 



136 

worshipped in temples. Orestes was the son of Aga- 
memnon and Clytemnestra ; when his father was cruelly 
murdered by Clytemnestra and JEgysthus, young Orestes 
was saved from his mother's dagger, and conveyed to the 
house of Strophius, who had married a sister of Agamem- 
non, and educated with his son Pylades. When Orestes 
was arrived to years of manhood, he visited Mycenae, 
and avenged his father's death, by assassinating his 
mother and jEgysthus. When ln\ passion had subsided, 
and reflection succeeded the resentment, he was struck with 
horror at the crime he had committed, and in the anguish 
of his mind, had recourse to the Oracle of Apollo, in 
order to be informed by what means he might expiate the 
guilt of his parricide. The atonement required was that 



137 

he should carry off the statue of Diana from her impi- 
ous temple in Taurica Chersonesus, where, with more than 
savage barbarism, the cruel custom prevailed of immo- 
lating upon her sanguinary altars every stranger that 
happened to come into the country. Orestes was accom- 
panied in this propitiatory pilgrimage by the faithful 
and generous Pylades. As soon as these celebrated 
Friends were arrived, they concealed themselves in a 
cave, in order to wait a proper opportunity of exe- 
cuting the object of their expedition; but being discovered 
by some shepherds, they were seized and brought before 
Thoas, the king of this infamous and inhospitable land, 
who being ignorant which of these was Orestes, whom 
he had determined to put to death, each insists, in order 



138 

to save the life of his associate, that he himself is the 
real person in question. But at the very moment when 
Orestes was on the point of being immolated, he is 
recognized by his sister Iphigenia, the Priestess of Diana. 
They killed Thoas, and took to flight. Pylades married 
afterwards the sister of his Friend. 



PAGE 34. LINE 3. 

The Tkeban pair, in Faction's wildest hour. 

" Among the very rare instances which occur in the 

" political history of mankind, of unfeigned amity among 

" the great, there is not one perhaps more worthy of 

% " notice, than that which was exemplified in the persons 



139 

" of the two greatest Statesmen and Captains that Greece 
" ever produced : Epaminondas and Pelopidas. There is 
m nothing, indeed, more to be admired in the shining 
" characters of these illustrious supports and ornaments of 
" the Theban Commonwealth, than that perfect union 
|C and constant Friendship, which subsisted between 
" them, during their joint direction of public affairs, both 
" in peace and war. If we observe, says Plutarch, what 
" happened in the same situation between Aristides and 
" Themistocles, Cimon and Pericles, Nicias and Alcibi- 
u ades, we shall find their respective administrations full 
" of tumult, contentions, and disputes. As Epaminondas 
M and Pelopidas possessed the first posts in the State, all 
N the most important interests of the Republic passed 



140 

H through their hands, and were trusted to their manage- 
" ment. In such delicate conjunctures, what a variety of 
" incidents must naturally arise, to give occasion to 
" mutual jealousy and dissention ! But no diversity of 
" opinion, no opposition of interest, nor the slightest emo- 
" tion of envy, ever interrupted or impaired that singular 
" harmony, in which they lived and acted together. The 
" reason, continues Plutarch, is evident : their Friendship 
" was founded upon an unalterable principle of virtue, 
" which solely and constantly directed their views, not 
" to what would most contribute to the advancement of 
" their own particular interest and power, but what 
" would best promote the general welfare and glory 
" of their country/' 

Plutarch in the Life of Pelopidas. 



141 

PAGE 34. LAST LINE. 

His blameless course the great Patrician ran. 

Titus Pomponius Atticus, a celebrated Roman knight, 
whose conciliatory talents rendered him esteemed and 
beloved by men of the most opposite designs and dis- 
positions; and though he neither flattered the power, nor 
in any respect promoted the ambitious purposes of Caesar 
or Ponipey, Anthony or Brutus, Cicero or Clodius ; yet 
he had the singular address to preserve, without the least 
diminution, the Friendship of each, even at the time 
when the contrariety of their respective interests rendered 
them the most irreconcileable enemies to one another, 



142 

PAGE 37- LINE 1. 

And Great Navarre, triumphant Gallia's pride. 

II aimoit, non en roi, non en m ait re s6v&re, 
Qui souffre qu'on aspire a Phonneur de lui plaire, 
Et de qui le coeur dur et l'inflexible orgueil 
Croit le rang d'un sujet trop paye d'un coup-d'oeiL 
Henri de l'amitie sentit les nobles fla mines : 
Amitie, don du ciel, plaisir des grandes ames, 
Amitie que les Rois, ces illustres ingrats, 
Sont assez malheureux pour ne connoitre pas. 

I,a Henriade, Chant. VIII 



143 

PAGE 39. FIRST LINE. 

Glory of Greece ! let latest times admire. 
Alluding to a story related by Lucian intitled Toxaris: 
Eudamidas, being on his death-bed, made his will, by 
which he bequeathed his aged mother to the care and 
protection of Aretheus ; and his daughter to Charixenus, 
to be disposed of in marriage according to his discretion, 
enjoining him at the same time to give her as ample a 
portion as his circumstances would admit. He added, 
that in case either of the legatees should happen to die 5 
he substituted the survivor in his stead. Charixenus 
died very soon after the testator; in consequence of 
which Aretheus took each of these singularly confidential 



144 

legacies to himself; and celebrating the marriage of his 
only daughter and that of his friend on the same day, 
he divided equally his fortune between them. 

Vide Melmoth's Cicero. 

PAGE 41. LINE 3. 

That child of guilt, which wakes the blush of shame, 
And fans reviving virtue to a flame* 

Non arrosisce in volto chi non vede il suo fallo, 

E chi lo vede e vicino all' emenda, 

Metastasio. 



145 

PAGE 42. LINE 9. 

Sweet Child of Genius, in this favor 9 d land. 

" Doomed to form expectations the most sanguine, 
" and to meet with disappointments the most mortifying; 
" to indulge towards others the most generous wishes; to 
" receive thyself the most illiberal treatment : to be 
M applauded, admired and neglected ; to be a Friend to 
" all, befriended often by none. — Oh ! thou creative, 
" discriminating power, source of inexpressible delights* 
" and nurse of unknown sensibilities, that perpetuate dis- 
u tress ! Fancy shall embody thy form, and often visit 
" the grave of Chatterton, to drop the tear of sympathy 

K 



146 

" over that ingenious, unfriended, and unfortunate 
'youth!" 

Mr. Dyer's Dissertation on Benevolence. 

PAGE 43. LINE 5. 

Let not the passion's transitory reign, 
Condemn the heart to everlasting pain* 

The duties of Friendship appear to be considered by 
some of the ancients as superior to every other claim of 
moral obligation: it was a frequent saying of The- 
mistocles, " God forbid I should ever sit upon a tri- 
" bunal, where my friends were not more favored than 
" strangers." 



147 

PAGE 46. LINE 3. 

Ah ! never hope by lawless deeds to bind 

In Friendship's virtuous ties the gen'rous mind. 

No degree of Friendship can either justify or excuse 
the commission of a criminal action. For true amity 
being founded on an opinion of virtue in the object of 
our affection, it is scarcely possible that those sentiments 
should remain, after an avowed and open violation of 
the principles, which originally produced them. 

Vide MelmotKs Cicero. 



N O T E S 



ON 



THE SECOND PART. 



NOTES 



ON 



THE SECOND PART. 



PAGE 66. LINE 7. 

Wide in its influence, ardent in itsforce 7 
The mothers love displays its purest source. 

u The wonderful force of the innate propensities of 
" the benevolent kind, is most particularly conspicuous 
™ in that powerful endearment, which subsists between 



152 

" parents and children, and which cannot be eradicated 
" nor counteracted without the most detestable impiety." 

Melmoth's Cicero. 

PAGE 73. LINE 5. 

The pious child, to Grecian memry dear. 

This story, the subject of a beautiful English tragedy, 
The Grecian Daughter, is related by Valerius Maximus. 

PAGE 7o. LINE 13. 
He too, whose stern revenge each plea refus'd. 
C. M. Coriolanus, an illustrious Patrician, having deli- 
vered a speech in the senate, tending to abolish thev 



153 

power of the Tribunes, excited the resentment of the 
popular Magistrates, and he was involved in a prose- 
cution, which terminated in his perpetual banishment. 
Resolved to revenge on his country the injury he had 
received, he retired among the Volsci, a neighbouring 
State, engaged in perpetual hostilities with the Roman 
Republic. By his instigation, they were induced to re- 
new their attack, and the command of their troops was 
conferred on him. The Senate, alarmed at his approach, 
made several overtures of peace, which having proved 
ineffectual, it was at length proposed, as their last expe* 
dient, to send him a deputation of the principal 
matrons of Rome, conducted by his mother and wife. 
Their meeting was tender and affectionate. The pride 



154 

and spirit of Coriolanus, inflexible to all former appli- 
cations, yielded to the conjugal and filial tenderness 
of his heart, and he was prevailed on to withdraw his 
army. 

£age 74. line 5. 

His too the Jilial wreath, who nobly bore 

His Sire thro' scorching Jiames from Ilium's shore* 

History does not afford a more striking instance of 

filial affection than the story related by Virgil of iEneas, 

who in the general conflagration of Troy saved the life 

of his aged father by carrying him on his back through 

the flames. This act of filial tenderness obtained for 

him from the poet the appellation of the Pious iEneas. 



155 

PAGE 74. LINE 17. 

And his who mid the earth's convulsive jar* 

In the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pliny the younger 
was at Messina: the inhabitants endeavoured to save 
themselves by flight, but Pliny, regardless of his own 
life, thought only of his aged mother. In vain she con- 
jured him to hasten his departure, representing her in- 
firmities, and the delay to which she should expose him ; 
her prayers were useless ; he hurried her away, and alter- 
nately supporting and carrying her in his arms, preser- 
ved her from the general devastation. 



156 

PAGE 74. LINE 11. 

Next in the Sister's love and Brother s truth, 
Affection triumphs o'er the heart of youth. 

" Though the moral union of two persons of the same 
" blood is as much the result of a free unconstrained 
" choice, as if there existed no previous natural con- 
" nexion between them, yet a variety of conciliating 
u circumstances, springing from this relationship, are pe- 
" culiarly favorable to the growth of Friendship." 

" What an abundant source of endearing consideration 
** does the reflection afford, to have occupied even be- 
*' fore one came into the world, the same common man- 
" sion; passed the state of infancy in the same cradle; 



157 

" looked up for protection to the same parents ; to have 
" been equally the object of the same tender vows and 
u equally heir to the same common honor, reflected from 
u their virtue." 

Vide Melmoth's Observations on Cicero, and 
Valerius Maximus. 



PAGE 70. LINE 7. 

Ok ! for that hallow d voice, whose strains sublime 
Sa?ig wedded love in Eden's blissful clime. 
Trop parfaite union dont les noeuds sont si doux, 
Societe sacree h qui tout rend hommage, 



158 

Du Celeste bonheur vous seule etes Pimage, 
Vous seule au rang divin elevez les mortels. 

Le Franc de Pompignan. 

PAGE 82. LINE 7. 

Devoted Arria ! wife of heart nly mould ! 

To latest ages shall thy tale be told. 
Arria, the wife of Paetus Cecinna, a Roman Senator. 
Her husband and son being attacked with a dangerous 
illness, and the latter dying, she had the courage to con- 
ceal it from her husband; she talked to him of the pre- 
tended cure of her son, and retired when she was unable 
any longer to restrain her grief; when recalled by Paetus, 
she wiped away her tears, and appeared with a serene 



159 

countenance. Her husband being accused of a con- 
spiracy against Claudius, and sent to Rome by sea, she 
accompanied him, stabbed herself in the boat, and pre- 
sented the sword to her husband, who followed her 
example. 

page 83. line 9. 

Her virtuous praise, too, shall the Muse relate, 
Who nobly shard an exlVd Husband's fate. 

Eponina, wife of Julius Sabinus, who proclaimed him- 
self Emperor in the beginning of Vespasian's reign. He 
was soon after defeated in a battle, and to escape from the 
conqueror, hid himself in a subterraneous cave, with two 
faithful domestics, where he remained nine years. His 



160 

wife found out his retreat, and passed her time with him, 
till her frequent visits to the cave discovered the place 
of his concealment. He was put to death by the Em- 
peror, notwithstanding the interest of his friends, and 
the prayers of his wife, who, to raise Vespasian's pity, 
showed him the twins that were born in this subter- 
raneous retreat. 

PAGE 67, LINE 3. 

From ev'ry hope, in life's fair prospects torn, 
Her martyr 'd lord, see pious Rachel mourn. 
The virtuous and lovely Lady Rachel Russell. * When 
* in open court attending her Lord's side, she took notes 
M and made observations on all that passed in his behalf. 



161 

M When prostrate at the King's feet, and pleading with 
" his Majesty in remembrance of her dead father's ser- 
" vices, she was an object of the most lively compassion. 
" But when without a sigh or tear she took her last fare 
" well of him, of the highest admiration." 

Vide Trial of Lord William Russell, 

PAGE 85. LINE 5. 

That Friend, for whom the gallant Monmouth rose. 

" All possible methods were used to save Lord 
" Russell's life. Lord Cavendish generously offered to 
" manage his escape, and stay in prison for him, while he 
" should go away in his clothes, but he would not 

L 



162 

" hearken to the motion. And the Duke of Monmouth 
" sent him word, that if he thought it would do him 
" any service, he would surrender himself, and share his 
" fate, but his answer was, that it could he of no 
" advantage to him to have his Friends die with 
" him," » 

Trial of Lord William Russell. 

Pi\GE 88. LINE 3. 

When Abba's son beheld the sails unfurl' d. 



See Keate's interesting account of the Pellew Islands. 



165 

PAGE 90. LINE 5. 

Go, trace what charm tti iintutor'd Indian won. 



j -> 



Among the many extraordinary proofs of the strong 
affections to be found in savage tribes, the Abbe Raynal 
particularises an instance of an Iroquois Indian, whose 
attachment to his departed Friend, and the hope of 
rejoining him in a future state, prevailed over every other 
consideration in regulating his life and manners, con- 
formably to the precepts of Divine Revelation. 

PAGE 91. LINE 9. 

But let the feelings of the savage breast. 
In Zelia's fate th f astonish 1 d mind arrest. 



164 

See the Abbe Raynal's Histoire Philosophique et 
Politique des deux Indes. 

I could not forbear introducing this striking illustration 
of the triumph of Friendship over Love, though the 
subject is already familiar to poetic readers, in Mr. 
Pratt's elegant Poem on Humanity. 

PAGE 98. LINE 1. 

Long to her sons shall Scotia tell the tale 
Of sister beauties, in fair Leadnoch's vale. 

The tradition of these unfortunate damsels relates, 
that they were both very beautiful, and attached to each 
other with the most romantic affection; and that to 
escape the contagion of the plague, in 1666, when 



165 

Bessy Bell, daughter of the Laird of Kinvaid, was visiting 
Mary Gray, they erected a bower near Leadnoch, in a 
secluded spot called Burn-Braes, where they lived in 
the happy society of each other, till this fatal disease 
was communicated to them by the visits of a young 
man, who, deeply enamoured of them both, discovered 
their retreat ; and they all three fell victims to its rage. 
They were buried near the bank of the river Almond. 
On a stone near the spot is this simple inscription : thk 

TOMB OF BESSY BELL AND MARY GRAY. The 

mark of their graves is still visible ; but no traces of that 
of their lover, said to be at their feet, now remain, 



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